Freedom of Information Act 2000

Lord Harrison: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	When the codes of practice under Sections 45 and 46 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 will be laid before Parliament.

Lord Irvine of Lairg: I have placed a copy of both codes of practice in the Libraries of both Houses today.

Committee on Standards in Public Life: Eighth Report

Lord Dormand of Easington: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	When they expect to receive the eighth report of the Committee on Standards in Public Life.

Lord Williams of Mostyn: The Government are pleased to announce that the eighth report of the Committee on Standards in Public Life, entitled Standards of Conduct in the House of Commons, has today been published by the committee. Copies are available in the Vote Office and the Libraries of both Houses.

Drug Abstinence Orders

Lord Lester of Herne Hill: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How many drug abstinence orders have been made by the courts in England and Wales.

Lord Falconer of Thoroton: Drug abstinence orders (DAO) and drug abstinence requirements (DAR) were made available to the courts covering the three pilot sites, Nottingham, Staffordshire and Hackney on 5 November 2001. As at 28 February 2002, seven drug abstinence orders and 85 drug abstinence requirements have been issued. The pilot programme was extended to a further six sites, Bedford, Blackpool, Doncaster, Torquay, Wirral and Wrexham & Mold in the summer of 2002. Further outcomes from the pilot sites will be available in the interim evaluation report due in the spring of 2003.

Temple Mills Maintenance Facilities

Lord Berkeley: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What is the expected capital cost of moving the Eurostar maintenance facilities from North Pole to Temple Mills in London; and who would be responsible for the costs of such a move.

Lord Macdonald of Tradeston: Under the current proposals the construction of the new facility would be phased, with the first phase being ready for the opening of the whole Channel Tunnel Rail Link in 2007. The construction cost of the first phase is estimated to be about £140 million, but further work is in hand to refine the estimates. Discussions are currrently underway beween the parties about how the costs will be borne and financed.

Temple Mills Maintenance Facilities

Lord Berkeley: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What assessment has been done of the costs and benefits of moving the Eurostar maintenance facilities from North Pole to Temple Mills in London, and compared with creating a small stabling siding at Temple Mills and undertaking most maintenance at Paris or Brussels.

Lord Macdonald of Tradeston: An assessment of the costs and benefits of various potential solutions has been carried out and it has been concluded that the optimum technical and economic solution is a phased development of new facilities at Temple Mills.
	This assessment took account of the fact that the stabling, servicing and light maintenance facilities need to be located as near as possible to St Pancras in order to support the daily operation of the train services.

Temple Mills Maintenance Facilities

Lord Berkeley: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Who financed the creation of a new refuelling facility for EWS Railway at Temple Mills; why it was necessary; how much it cost; and what was the date of opening.

Lord Macdonald of Tradeston: The EWS refuelling facility at Stratford had to be moved to make way for the ongoing construction of the Channel Tunnel Rail Link. It was relocated at Temple Mills under the terms of an undertaking given by Viscount Goschen to the Select Committee of this House that considered the Channel Tunnel Rail Link Bill. The undertaking required the Secretary of State to ensure that land is made available on the Stratford Railway Lands (including Temple Mills) for EWS' refuelling point. The move was financed by Union Railways (North) Ltd, the nominated undertaker for the construction of this part of the Channel Tunnel Rail Link. The estimated capital cost of moving the refuelling facility is around £1 million; it came into operation at the beginning of July 2001.

Temple Mills Maintenance Facilities

Lord Berkeley: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Why they imposed a compulsory purchase notice on EWS Railway's new refuelling facility at Temple Mills on the date that it opened; what alternative refuelling arrangements will be provided and where; and what are the total estimated costs of such a further move.

Lord Macdonald of Tradeston: Compulsory purchase notices, (Notices to Treat, stating that the land would be required) were served on 14 December on the land on which a new refuelling facility had opened at the beginning of July 2001. This was because it had become clear that part of this land was required for servicing and maintaining Eurostar trains earlier than anticipated. The refuelling facility may not need to be relocated until about 2020, but it will remain on an appropriate site on the Stratford lands including Temple Mills, in accordance with an undertaking given by Viscount Goschen to the Select Committee to this House that considered the Channel Tunnel Rail Link Bill. It is estimated that such a move may cost in the order of £2 million.

Railway Overbridges

Lord Berkeley: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Which organisations are responsible for funding the programme of railway overbridge strengthening now being undertaken; what is the total cost; and what is the purpose of this work.

Lord Macdonald of Tradeston: Network Rail, as owner of the national railway infrastructure, is responsible for the maintenance and renewal of rail over road bridges. The programme of work is an operational matter for Network Rail.

Safety Cameras

Baroness Scott of Needham Market: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What consultation took place in advance of the issue of the new safety camera partnership handbook which came into force on 30 June.

Lord Macdonald of Tradeston: The handbook of rules and guidelines for the safety camera netting off scheme came into effect on 11 August 2001 when the scheme was made available nationally. The rules are conditions of payment to public authorities prescribed under Section 38 of the Vehicles (Crime) Act 2001 and no consultation is required by statute. However, the rules have been devised in collaboration with a project board comprising representatives from key government departments, the police and local authorities.

New Car Registrations

Lord Lucas: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What data they have on the numbers of new cars registered per head of population in each of the past five years for which records are available, analysed by region or by local authority areas.

Lord Macdonald of Tradeston: The number of new cars registered per 1,000 population for each region is as follows.
	
		
			 Region 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 
			 Great Britain 35 36 37 38 43 
			 England 35 36 37 38 43 
			 North East 31 32 31 34 36 
			 Yorkshire and Humber 34 34 34 36 37 
			 East Midland 36 36 36 36 43 
			 East of England 38 40 39 41 47 
			 South East 40 42 42 44 50 
			 London 27 27 26 26 31 
			 South West 37 38 37 38 40 
			 West Midland 35 38 45 48 57 
			 North West 33 35 38 41 45 
			 Wales 34 33 32 31 34 
			 Scotland 34 35 37 40 41

Apsley House

Baroness Anelay of St Johns: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the passage of the Contracting Out (Functions in relation to Apsley House) Order 2002 in February, when they will announce the name of the body to which the management of Apsley House will be transferred; and whether a member (or members) of the Wellington family will be formally invited to be involved in the future management of the house.

Baroness Blackstone: Following initial expressions of interest earlier this year, and a subsequent review of the procurement process by the Office of Government Commerce, we have invited interested parties to meet a number of essential pre-qualifying criteria. Responses were due by 15 November and are currently being evaluated. We will decide next steps in the light of that evaluation. We remain keen to see family involvement in the management of Apsley House in whatever management arrangements result from the competitive tendering exercise.

Disabled Children: Local Authority and NHS Support

Baroness Howe of Idlicote: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What is the average cost for each disabled child in residential care; and what is the average cost of the financial and physical support given by local authorities and health authorities for each disabled child living with their parents.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: The average cost to social services of each disabled child in residential care during the Children in Need Census survey week in September/October 2001, excluding those who receive only planned short-term breaks, was £1,400. The average cost to social services of each disabled child supported in their family or independently during a survey week in September/October 2001 was £130.
	Data on the health cost of supporting disabled children are not collected centrally.

Disabled Children: Local Authority and NHS Support

Baroness Howe of Idlicote: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Which 10 local authority and National Health Service areas provide the most help (financial and physical) to disabled children living at home; and which 10 local authority and National Health Service areas provide the least support.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: The Children in Need 2001 Census shows that 10 local authorities supporting the largest number of disabled children in their families or independently are:
	
		
			   
			 1. Hertfordshire 460 
			 2. Essex 455 
			 3. Cornwall 420 
			 4. Lancashire 400 
			 5. Liverpool 385 
			 6. Nottinghamshire 385 
			 7. Bradford 370 
			 8. Derbyshire 360 
			 9. Leeds 355 
			 10. = Wirral 325 
			 10. = Devon 325 
			 The census shows that 10 local authorities supporting the fewest number of disabled children in their families or independently are:  
			 1. = City of London fewer than five 
			 1. = Greenwich fewer than five 
			 3. Derby 5 
			 4. = North-East Lincolnshire 10 
			 4. = Greenwich 10 
			 6. = Halton 15 
			 6. = Merton 15 
			 8. Rutland 20 
			 9. Warrington 25 
			 10. Barking & Dagenham 30 
		
	
	Four local authorities show a return of zero (Kingston upon Hull, Thurrock, Hackney, Hammersmith & Fulham), which is likely to be due to poor data quality. Statistical data of support given by the National Health Service are not collected centrally.

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

Lord Jones: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What initiatives are being taken in (a) England and (b) Wales to ensure that there are no delays in access to assessment and to treatment for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder cases.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: The National Institute for Clinical Excellence has issued clear guidance on the use of the drug methylphenidate for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children and issued clinical guidelines for its use, including information for patients, in 2000. This guidance was circulated widely among professional groups involved with attention deficit disorders. The Department of Health has also grant-aided the ADHD National Alliance, an organisation which helps to co-ordinate voluntary sector activity and development work in this field.
	In recent years the department has supported a number of other initiatives taken by professional bodies and other agencies to raise awareness of attention deficit disorder and ADHD and to facilitate accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment. These include an evidence-based briefing for clinicians on the use of stimulant medication (1999) and fact sheets for parents, teachers and young people on attention deficit problems and hyperactivity, both produced by the Royal College of Psychiatrists. We have also collaborated with the Department for Education and Skills in issuing guidance for teachers on promoting children's mental health, including attention deficit/hyperactivity, within early years and school settings in 2001.
	The Department of Health public service agreement has set a challenging target for the improvement of child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS). The Secretary of State for Health recently announced an additional investment of £140 million over the next three years through increased grants to local authorities for CAMHS, which together with new National Health Service investment, will help to ensure that every area will have comprehensive service for children and young people with mental health needs.
	The position in Wales is a matter for the Welsh Assembly.

Nutrition Information: Catering Establishments

Lord Vinson: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What the Food Standards Agency estimates to be the cost of inspecting and regulating eating establishments if its recommendation that the calorific value of all meals should be displayed is to be implemented.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: Neither the Government nor the Food Standards Agency has any plans to introduce legislation requiring nutrition information to be given in catering establishments.

Local Council Children's Homes: Staff Qualifications

Lord Northbourne: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What proportion of the staff currently employed in local authority children's homes for residential care have a relevant professional qualification in residential social work; and whether they consider that proportion to be satisfactory.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: From the Social Services Workforce Analysis that was completed in September 2001, we know that 62 per cent of the registered managers of local council children's homes held either a diploma in social work (DipSW) or the certificate of qualification in social work (CQSW), and 3 per cent of the registered managers hold a Level 4 Care national vocational qualification (NVQ). We also know that 28 per cent of registered managers hold a managerial qualification, but the data do not state what percentage of registered managers hold both a care and a management qualification.
	From the data supplied with the training support programme grant application forms in April 2002, we also know that 21 per cent of the care staff within local council children's homes have already acquired the Caring for Children and Young People Level 3 NVQ and it is anticipated that this figure will rise to 44 per cent by March 2003.
	The Government have set national minimum standards that the National Care Standards Commission is using to register and inspect children's homes which state that registered managers should hold a DipSW, CQSW or Care Level 4 NVQ and an NVQ Level 4 in management by January 2005. They also state that a minimum ratio of 80 per cent of all care staff should have completed their Level 3 in the Caring for Children and Young People NVQ by January 2005.

Class Size

Lord Lester of Herne Hill: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether reliable information is available as to the effects of creating reduced-size classrooms in state-maintained schools for children from low-income families; and, if not, whether they will commission research to test the effects of such a policy.

Baroness Ashton of Upholland: The University of London's Institute of Education was jointly commissioned by my department and local education authorities to monitor the impact of class size and pupil to adult ratios on educational attainment at key stage 1. The research shows that smaller classes have a significant effect on pupil progress in maths and literacy in reception children.
	The researchers found no evidence of a relationship between class size, pupil attainment and schools with a high proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals. However, this analysis was carried out at school level rather than at pupil level.

Primary and Post-primary Schools: Funding

Lord Rogan: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What progress has been made in reducing any disparity of funding between primary schools and post-primary schools in (a) England and Wales and (b) Northern Ireland since the second report of the House of Commons Education Committee 1993–94; and whether they have any plans to provide equality of funding for the primary school children of Northern Ireland.

Baroness Ashton of Upholland: Local education authorities in England and Wales are reponsible for determining the balance of funding between primary and post-primary schools. Provisional outturn data for 2000–01 indicate that the per pupil differential in England was 1: 1.24 compared with 1: 1.38 in 1993–94. The position in Northern Ireland is a matter for my right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.

Employment: Cumbria

Lord Inglewood: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether there should be a programme of research to provide an improved understanding of the relationship between economic activities and the creation of jobs in the Cumbrian economy.

Baroness Hollis of Heigham: We have a large and wide-ranging programme of research looking at issues related to helping more people to move into work. This includes comprehensive evaluation of our programmes designed to help people to move from dependence on benefits into a job. These programmes, alongside our sound economic policies, have helped to reduce the level of unemployment in Cumbria by 47 per cent over the last five years and long-term unemployment by nearly three-quarters.

Veterinary Risk Advice

Lord Inglewood: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they believe that there should be closer co-ordination in the veterinary risk advice that is provided nationally by government and regionally through State Veterinary Service Animal Health Offices.

Lord Whitty: Advice on veterinary risk is provided nationally by the Chief Veterinary Officer and his veterinary team, supported by outside expertise as necessary. The advice is applied by the State Veterinary Service in the field, taking account of circumstances on the ground. The SVS locally makes and applies local veterinary risk assessments to individual premises. Feedback from the field to the centre ensures that the national advice is kept under constant review. The Government believe that these arrangements provide for close co-ordination and consistent application of veterinary risk advice.

Animal Disease Control Legislation: Advice and Assessments

Lord Inglewood: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether, as a matter of policy, all changes by government in animal disease control legislation requiring implementation by local authorities should be supported by appropriate risk-assessment guidance.

Lord Whitty: Changes in animal disease control legislation take account of veterinary advice and where appropriate are underpinned by formal risk assessments. In communicating such changes to the State Veterinary Service in the field, to local authorities, and to interested parties generally, DEFRA seeks to provide explanatory guidance and other support such as helplines.

Rural Affairs

Lord Patten: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Following the recent urban summit, whether they intend now to hold a rural summit.

Lord Whitty: The Rural Affairs Forum for England, established in January 2002, held its fourth meeting on 9 November in Spalding, Lincolnshire, chaired by my right honourable friend, the Minister of State for Rural Affairs. The following day, also in Spalding, a wider group of representatives of rural interest took part in the forum's first-ever Rural Affairs Conference on the topic "Town and country—great divide or deeper connection?" It is intended to make the conference an annual event. Rural/urban interdependence was also a theme of the urban summit.
	The Government are sympathetic to the principle of holding a rural summit which was discussed by the forum on 9 November and will be discussed further in due course. It should be remembered that the urban summit arose out of many years of intensive activity on urban policy; whereas rural policy, as we now understand it, was relatively underdeveloped before the publication of the rural White Paper in November 2000 and establishment of DEFRA in June 2001. While rapid progress has been made in the past two years we have a long way to go and the timing of an event of this sort needs to be right to ensure that it makes a practical and significant contribution to rural regeneration.

Rural Regeneration

Lord Patten: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will set up rural regeneration companies to match the 11 urban regeneration companies that they have created.

Lord Whitty: The Government's main concern is to ensure that practical and effective arrangements are in place to promote rural regeneration rather than to promote a particular delivery vehicle. We consider proposals for the formation of regeneration companies on their merits, as is the case with the proposal for a rural regeneration company to administer the Cumbria Rural Action Zone programme which is currently being considered by the relevant departments.